ABSTRACT

The contributions to this book analyse Europe’s global role, with a particular focus on its various ‘first pillar’3 external policies such as trade, development, humanitarian aid, environment, energy, competition, social issues, and asylum and migration. It also looks at Europe’s role in the ‘near abroad’ through enlargement and neighbourhood policies. The EU is arguably an important international actor in these ‘low politics’ or ‘civilian’ domains. But the degree of the Union’s power in these areas, as well as Europe’s successfulness in reaching the objectives that

are pursued through these external policies, remain to be examined. This book aims to take a step in this direction.